A 20-year-old man took his own life after a workplace injury ended his aspirations of joining the British Army as a parachutist, a coroner’s inquest has heard. Oliver Davey was reported missing on December 26 last year and was found deceased two days later on December 28.

Davey sustained a serious injury to his right hand while working at Dunbia’s beef abattoir in Lindal, Cumbria, earlier in the year. The injury required surgical intervention and ultimately affected his ability to pursue his long-held goal of joining the Army.

According to a family statement read at Workington Coroner’s Court, Davey had been dedicated to a military career for several years. He had participated in Cadets and had received confirmation of his start date with the Parachute Regiment before the injury disrupted his plans.

The inquest highlighted the profound impact the injury had on Davey’s mental health, as his ambitions for an Army career were thwarted. Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding his death.